The Vikings were awarded linebacker Terrell Manning off waivers from the San Diego Chargers today, adding another young and unproven player to the mix at that unsettled position.

Manning, 23, was a fifth-round draft pick of the Green Bay Packers in 2012. He played five games as a rookie and made three tackles. The Packers waived him after training camp last season. The Chargers claimed him, and he suited up for one game before being released and signed to their practice squad.

Manning, who is listed at 6-feet-2 and 237 pounds, played his college football at N.C. State and was teammates with third-year Vikings linebacker Audie Cole.

Manning is now one of eight linebackers on the roster. Six of them are 25 or younger. One exception is Chad Greenway, who is the only linebacker who can currently be penciled in as a starter. The other is Jasper Brinkley, whom the team brought back after one season with the Arizona Cardinals.

Brinkley spoke with reporters this morning during a voluntary offseason workout that was open to the media, and he said he believes that he and the rest of the linebackers on the roster will get a chance to compete for starting spots. Brinkley believes he would be a good fit in Mike Zimmer's scheme as a thumping, run-stuffing middle linebacker. But youngers such as Cole, Michael Mauti, Gerald Hodges and now maybe Manning might have something to say about that.

Plus, it also seems likely the Vikings will use at least one draft pick -- potentially a high one -- to add more talent at linebacker. They will work out playmaking LB prospects Khalil Mack and Anthony Barr this week at their "Top 30" event in addition to Preston Brown and Demarcus Lawrence.

Of course, QB is arguably their biggest need. Unfortunately, no other Mannings are available.